Explosions Reported Near Strait of Hormuz as Iran Says Forces Engaged 'Hostile Targets'

Tehran: Two explosions were reported on Iran's Qeshm Island in Hormozgan province on Thursday night after Iranian armed forces reportedly confronted what officials described as "hostile enemy targets" near the entrance to the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the explosions were heard around 9:40 p.m. local time. Citing informed sources, the report said the Iranian Navy had carried out an operation against unidentified hostile targets, with further details expected to be released in the coming hours.

Despite the reports, Ahmad Nafisi, Hormozgan's Deputy Governor for Political, Security and Social Affairs, said no missile strike or other incident had been recorded on Qeshm Island or in the provincial capital, Bandar Abbas. He added that authorities were investigating the cause of the explosions.

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The developments came just hours after reports suggested that Iran and Oman had reached a preliminary understanding on reopening the Strait of Hormuz for a 60-day period. Saudi-based broadcasters Al Hadath and Al Arabiya, citing senior sources, said the proposed arrangement still requires approval from Iran's Supreme National Security Council and could be announced within days.

Under the reported framework, ships entering the Strait would travel along a route closer to Iran, while outbound vessels would sail closer to Oman. The agreement reportedly includes no transit or service fees, with regional countries expected to assist in demining operations and other technical measures to ensure safe navigation.

The reports also claimed that, once the agreement is approved, the United States and Iran would resume implementing provisions of their existing peace memorandum of understanding relating to the reopening of the Strait and the safe passage of commercial shipping. Indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran are also said to be continuing through mediators.

Iran tightened restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz on February 28 after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, limiting the movement of vessels linked to the United States and Israel. The waterway remains one of the world's most critical maritime trade routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas shipments.
 

With inputs from IANS